Most pets cannot read (though I’m convinced my Chilli can or she wouldn’t try to grab my morning paper every time Noosa News gets delivered).
That means that our best friends rely on us to keep them safe.
If you are reading this blog, you are likely one of the select few responsible, caring dog owners. In addition to understanding what’s inside the foods and products you buy for your fur-baby, have you considered the packages themselves?
Have you ever taken a big drink from a plastic water bottle that’s been sitting in the hot car for a couple of days and wondered who injected liquid plastic flavoring into your mountain spring refreshment? It’s well known that chemicals used in packaging can migrate into foods, but what are the potential health dangers for our pets?
Do the right thing and Go Green with Droolers Delight.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
BPA causes endocrine disruption, which inhibits the production and function of natural hormones. Research links BPA to possible negative health effects such as impaired brain function, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, asthma, and reproductive disorders. BPA is very common in plastic packages and is often found in coatings inside paper and metal containers. We see it in packaging for both frozen and dry dog foods, treats, and supplements (it’s also prevalent in food and water bowls made from plastic!).
Phthalates
Like BPA, phthalates are another endocrine disruptor and are found in many types of plastics, shampoos and soaps. Printing inks on paper can also contain phthalates (and other endocrine disruptors including benzophenones and mineral oils). Phthalates are not bound tightly to plastics, and therefore easily leach into foods and liquids. Reproductive toxicity, allergies, asthma, and malformations of the reproductive system have been linked to phthalates, yet they remain common in packaging.
Safer Options
What types of packaging materials are best, and what should you be aware of with each potentially safer solution?
#1: PLASTIC
Not all plastics are evil! Though many of the common plastics contain chemicals that none of us want to feed our pets, there are more ecological, safer alternatives. Biofilms, for instance, are often made from non-genetically modified corn and can perform as well as or better than conventional plastics. Biofilms are often an ideal packaging solution for foods.
Overall, biofilms can be a good choice, although not all are the same and some are made from genetically modified corn and recent research has shown certain types can leach chemicals. But overall, biofilms are a giant step in the right direction.
#2: Glass
Glass doesn’t leach any chemicals, it’s better to repurpose and reuse it over and over again before recycling it. Because glass is nonporous and impermeable, there are no interactions between glass packaging and the products inside, resulting in no nasty after taste or toxic leaks – ever. Plus, glass has an almost zero rate of chemical interactions, which ensures that the products inside a glass bottle keep their flavor, strength and aroma.
Glass is recyclable — 100% and made entirely from natural materials, it’s non-toxic, naturally protective — and does not harm the ocean. If you recycle the glass, it will almost always be turned into new glass. This is cool. It’s important to remember that glass has an unlimited life and can keep being recycled over and over to make new glass. It never loses quality, unlike plastic and paper. The glass is crushed, then blended, and then melted with sand, limestone, and other raw materials, including more glass. The end result is new jars and bottles that don’t look any different to all the other jaws and bottles you’ve seen before. They’re all as good as new. However, it is important to note that we’re running out of the sand that’s used to make glass in the first place.
Then there’s the fact that, whilst glass can be recycled, most humans don’t actually recycle it! This is a major bummer because glass can be used to make new glass, which means fewer raw materials will be needed. Of course, this isn’t really a glass problem but a human problem.
#3: Tin, Steel and Aluminium
Tin, steel and aluminium are right up there in recyclability with glass. Cans are everywhere, and where would dog food be without them? As with most things however, they’re very often coated with a material to protect against rust, food discolouration, and flavour loss. Some of these coatings should be cause for concern. Fortunately, there have been leaps and bounds made in coating research and there are a number of much safer coatings out there for companies to discover and utilise in products.
What Can Be Done?
Keep reading those labels, but remember to read not only about the ingredients but also to look for phrases such as “eco friendly packaging”, "compostable" and “BPA free.” These phrases are not as common as we’d like to see, simply because it’s time consuming and costly for companies to champion the cause of package safety.
A number of companies have led the charge to create safer packaging and increased consumer demand for safer packaging will undoubtedly cause more companies to follow suit.
Droolers Delight Packaging
Compostable packaging is one of the most eco-friendly solutions we have in the fight against plastic! Compostable packaging reduces waste, supports composters, supports soil health, and is an integral part of a circular economy. We are using two types of packaging for our healthy and all natural treats:
- 100% compostable bags sourced in Australia;
- Glass jars with bamboo lids sourced in Australia.
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